Emergency ‘Gun Money’ of James II

Genuine artefacts of the battle for the British throne between Catholicism and Protestantism, King James II Emergency ‘Gun Money’ is immensely historic and extremely scarce.

England’s last Catholic king, James II ascended the throne in 1685 upon the death of his brother, Charles II. Although Protestant England initially welcomed James’ accession, the religious divide led to crisis. Parliament invited William of Orange – married to James’ sister, Mary – to ‘save Protestantism’. William invaded, and James fled to France.

James launched a bid to regain the throne in 1689, invading Ireland with the support of the French. Known as ‘gun money’, with many of the coins struck from melted down cannons, James paid his troops in base metal coinage, to be redeemed in silver when the war against William was won. That day never arrived and James fled back to France after defeated at the Battle of the Boyne. He died in exile in 1701.

Carrying not only the date, but also the month of striking, the Gun Money Half Crown (30 Pence) coins of James II are a tangible reminder of a tumultuous period in English history. Vanishing from circulation in the 18th century, they are also notably rare.

Emergency ‘Gun Money’ of James II

Genuine artefacts of the battle for the British throne between Catholicism and Protestantism, King James II Emergency ‘Gun Money’ is immensely historic and extremely scarce.

England’s last Catholic king, James II ascended the throne in 1685 upon the death of his brother, Charles II. Although Protestant England initially welcomed James’ accession, the religious divide led to crisis. Parliament invited William of Orange – married to James’ sister, Mary – to ‘save Protestantism’. William invaded, and James fled to France.

James launched a bid to regain the throne in 1689, invading Ireland with the support of the French. Known as ‘gun money’, with many of the coins struck from melted down cannons, James paid his troops in base metal coinage, to be redeemed in silver when the war against William was won. That day never arrived and James fled back to France after defeated at the Battle of the Boyne. He died in exile in 1701.

Carrying not only the date, but also the month of striking, the Gun Money Half Crown (30 Pence) coins of James II are a tangible reminder of a tumultuous period in English history. Vanishing from circulation in the 18th century, they are also notably rare.

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